Morgan David Reinbold

Morgan David Reinbold, Jr., 83, of Oley, PA, and formerly of Shillington, PA, passed away peacefully on August 22 at the house he helped build. The second child of the late Morgan Deichert Reinbold of Green Point, PA, and the late Dorothy Haman of Reading, PA, Morgan David Reinbold, Jr. was born September 28, 1941 in Shillington, PA. Surrounded by his father's prize-winning roses, he grew to be the mischievous bane of his sister, the late Dorothy Anne Reinbold. Morgan graduated Governor Mifflin High School in 1959, and Albright College in 1963. Graduating Penn State with his master's degree, he was hired by Schuylkill Valley High School in 1965, teaching History and English. He married fellow Penn State alum, the late Cecile Elizabeth Plott in 1968. Morgan and Cecile had two children, Shannon and Morgan Dirk. After Cecile lost her battle to cancer in 2007, Morgan spent time in reflection and writing before he met and then wed the late Mary "Mitzi" Catherine Flyte (née Tornese) in 2012. A man of countless interests and curiosities, Morgan pursued his loves of art, sport, history, and fellowship in equal measure. Active in scouting, he earned his Eagle Scout early, and spent summers of his youth as a counselor at Camp Wigwam in Maine. He became a Freemason of Chandler Lodge #227 of West Reading, earning his 32nd Degree in 1963. He was co-founder and often host of the Green Point Pennsylvania Dutch Bumblebee Association (1964-1968), gathering annually to share herbal remedies, Pennsylvania Dutch stories, and the company of family and friends. Morgan returned to the scouting traditions of his youth, teaching archery at Camp Adahi, as well as being an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 569 of Oley for several years during which he instructed Boy Scouts in canoeing, camping and hiking, guiding them along the Appalachian Trail and inspiring his son to likewise earn his Eagle Scout. Morgan dabbled in painting. He was the official photographer of Schuylkill Valley School District football games, a dark room hobbyist, a jeweler and juried master silversmith, and a writer of poetry and prose. As founder and head swordsmith of Trollheim Forge, he and his apprentices produced blades and pole-arms to outfit their own "Scottish Army": a collection of friends and fellow Renaissance Faire enthusiasts Morgan led as self-proclaimed "Laird-Warder of the Isle of Mull" - all ready to engage The Players at Mount Hope Estate and Winery with dubious accents and laughingly take over the local Dairy Queen in full costume and arms afterward. It was a role he relished, having previously styled himself as the "Black Colonel" of the local Revolutionary War re-enactment association: The Oley Valley Militia (later becoming the Berks County Militia) - which he also founded and led until 1978. Particularly active around the time of the country's Bicentennial, it began as a simple flintlock shooting group, but came to serve as honorary bodyguard to Governor Shapp and Lieutenant Governor Kline. His passion for marksmanship began in what seemed a bit of rebellion against his father (who was not so fond of his fascination with firearms) that would be a hallmark throughout his life. He trained the Northern Berks Regional Police in combat shooting, instructed a 4-H team in rifle and pistol shooting to win multiple state and national titles as a Class B Olympic Coach, and was an avid hunter and hunter safety instructor. Later in life, Morgan joined the Single-Action Shooting Society (SASS). Again tying together his enjoyments of weaponry and costuming, he wore old west style regalia, and shot for pleasure over competition. Then there were the things that defy the usual categories: Being "asked to leave" Dickinson School of Law after repeatedly challenging professors with moral arguments. His time as a diver with Reading SCUBA Rescue. His passion for sailing and kayaking. His 1998 quixotic, self-funded run for Pennsylvania Governor as a member of the self-created "Broom Party" (to sweep out corruption). A sudden love of kite-flying after a summer trip to Kitty Hawk, NC, inspired his creation of an informal and annual "Kite Flying Day," at his beloved Schuylkill Valley High School. And there was so much more. His was a life difficult to neatly summarize. Morgan saw the many varied possibilities that life had to offer, and trying to seize them all, was happy to catch a few. He was joyful, gregarious, and able to make new friends wherever he went. He maintained his good humor, his "dad jokes," and an internal peace throughout, bearing his sufferings stoically. He will be dreadfully missed. He is survived by his daughter, Shannon Gee (wife to Karl Gee of Oneonta, NY); his son, Morgan Dirk Reinbold, of Pottstown, PA; his grandson, Jaiden Gee of Oneonta, NY, and his stepdaughter, Heather Flyte, of Oley, PA. Services will be held at Stitzel Funeral Home, 423 Main Street, Oley, PA, on Saturday, Sept. 20, with a 10am visitation, and memorial service at 11am. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, you please make a donation to the ACLU. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Morgan David Reinbold, please visit our floral store.